I did the basic research for this blog series a couple of years ago. Then, as usual, flitted along to the next thing that caught my interest. Now I'm trying to flesh the cases out and present to you my justification for not being a fan of walking along the canal on dark and lonely nights...
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The Monmouthshire Merlin of January 16th 1874 reported on the deaths of Henry Morgan and John Colcomb:
"TWO MEN DROWNED IN THE CANAL. W. H. Brewer, Esq. Coroner, held an inquest at the Pontnewydd Inn, touching the deaths of Henry Morgan, haulier, and John Colcomb, labourer, who were found drowned in the Monmouthshire Canal, at the Five Locks, on Monday morning. Both these men came from Herefordshire, and worked for Mr. Williams, contractor. They spent Sunday evening together at Colcomb's lodgings, and about half-past seven they left the house together quite sober. Morgan intended to go home, and Colcomb going with him to show the way. To reach the footpath which leads by the canal side to Morgan's lodgings, it is necessary to cross a bridge; and it seems that in the darkness the two men went a little too far to the left, and instead of stepping upon the bridge walked into the canal, where there bodies were found on Monday. The jury returned a verdict of 'Found drowned.'"
Various newspapers carried the story - Y Tyst a'r Dydd (16/01/1874), Bristol Mercury (17/01/1874), Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian (17/01/1874), County Observer (17/01/1874), Y Gwladgarwr (17/01/1874), Poole and Dorset Herald (22/01/1874) - and provided a few extra details. Both men were unmarried and were said to be great friends. John Colcomb was lodging at the Cross Keys, then kept by James Thomas; he and his wife said both men were quite sober when they left. Henry Morgan was lodging with Mrs. Richards, near Mr. Clarke's shop.
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John Colcomb was born in 1814. Henry Morgan was born in 1848. Both men were buried at Llanfrechfa Upper on January 15th 1874.
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